WELLINGTON
Carter Fountain represents significant legacy Travellers in and around Wellington often take it for granted what a beautiful landscape we have in the city. At the very centre is a fountain gifted to Wellington. Not just any fountain, but something that has come to be respected by locals and visitors for 47 years, in memory of Hugh Carter, a top Wellington and New Zealand businessman. Hugh Allan Carter was a man of vision. He wanted a special harbour feature, which the city accepted and dedicated to his name and the Carter family. It has become a legacy over four decades for his foresight and a working symbol of our heritage assets in and around Oriental Bay. The fountain, which cost in excess of $75,000 in 1973, was gifted to Wellington in memory of Hugh’s parents, George and Ella Carter, who gave much to the city. George Carter was closely associated with the founder of McKenzies Ltd in New Zealand, Sir John McKenzie. Hugh’s mother, Ella, was Sir John’s sister. Hugh was born in Auckland in 1917 and educated at Auckland Grammar. He wanted to be a civil engineer but the depression years persuaded him that accountancy would be more useful. He joined the Queen Street branch of McKenzies in 1935, later rising to become managing director of McKenzies Ltd New Zealand in Wellington in 1969.
Jet d’Eau fountain he saw on a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, in the early 1960s. Although this fountain was located on a fresh water lake, he was mindful that Wellington harbour, with its salt water, would provide some challenges for the construction engineering team dealing with the corrosion of working parts. The fountain spouts 16m into the air. A wind sensor on the nearby band rotunda at Oriental Bay prevents the fountain from operating above a given wind speed. Over the years the annual maintenance cost of the fountain and its working parts has been considerable, including electricity and replacing pumps.
The handing over ceremony of the fountain to the City of Wellington in March 1973 was marred, two days later, by Hugh’s tragic death when he drowned as a result of a fall into the harbour from his yacht, the Kualani. He was only 55. The Carter Fountain remains a wonderful legacy to Hugh and all that his family have given to Wellington. At special times of the year the fountain is lit up in coloured lights and imagery recognising calendar events and festivals in the city. During summer it is a centrepiece for swimming and boating events. n
Writer: David Watt
During World War Two, Hugh served with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force for four years in the Middle East and Italy. He had a great love of water and of Wellington harbour, and had many ideas on how the city could be improved. He made his first donation to the city with money for trees to be planted around Point Jerningham and on Mount Crawford. His parents also paid for the Oriental Bay flower garden. Fountains and the movement of water fascinated Hugh. He was inspired by the ABOVE: Hugh Carter. CREDIT: CARTER FAMILY RIGHT: The Carter Fountain in all its glory during a sporting event. CREDIT: NEIL PRICE/WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
heritage.org.nz
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